| hin is considered the best goalkeeper who ever played | | | | against England soccer at Wembley Stadium and |
| the game of soccer. Lev Yashin is the only goalkeeper | | | | made a number of breathtaking and almost |
| to be named European Footballer of the Year in 1963. | | | | unbelievable rescues. Known worldwide as "Black |
| Yashin has invented the concept of ownership as a | | | | Spider" for his distinctive all black clothes and because |
| janitor. At the time that the guards are not protected | | | | it felt as he had eight arms to save almost everything. |
| by the referees as they are today, courage and stunts | | | | He often played wearing a cloth cap cotta colored |
| were legendary. His record of 207 shootouts and 150 | | | | brick. |
| saved penalties in a career of 22 years speak for | | | | Lev Yashin FIFA testimonial match was held in Lenin |
| themselves. He always wore a distinctive dress in | | | | Stadium in Moscow, 100 000 fans to participate, and |
| black during playback. Yashin started as the second | | | | the galaxy of stars like Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and |
| choice to the legendary Russian goalkeeper Alexei | | | | Eusebio. His agility, shot-stop and totally unprecedented |
| Khomich in Dynamo Moscow, but has established | | | | anticipation differ him from all other goalkeepers. |
| himself as the first choice shortly thereafter. | | | | Yashin was one of the first goalkeepers in command |
| His performance earned him 75 caps of the Soviet | | | | throughout his penalty area and one of the first to give |
| Union, the gold medal in 1956 Olympic, 1960 European | | | | the ball by punching or kicking. Other new practice has |
| Championship and bronze medal for finishing third in the | | | | been developed quickly throw the ball and start the |
| 1966 World Cup. He won the 1963 European Footballer | | | | attack out of the penalty area to anticipate danger, |
| of the year award and remains the only goalkeeper to | | | | and the command and organization of defenders, all |
| win the title. He never played in a club other than | | | | practices that are now common among goalkeepers. |
| Dynamo Moscow, where he won five championships | | | | In 1994, FIFA established the Lev Yashin Award for |
| and three caps titles. In 1962 a bronze statue of Lev | | | | the best goalkeeper in the World Cup. World Soccer |
| Yashin was erected at the Dynamo Stadium in | | | | Magazine has named him to top 100 greatest players |
| downtown of Moscow in recognition of his services to | | | | of the 20th century. Many commentators still consider |
| the club. | | | | him as the best goalkeeper in the history of game. He |
| I saw Lev Yashin in many games, but one of his best | | | | died in 1990 of complications from an amputation of |
| performances were in 1963 FIFA Centenary match | | | | her leg following a knee injury in 1986. |
| when he appeared in the 'Rest of the World XI' team | | | | |